HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

I bought seeds yesterday. I know that it is February and snow is falling outside my window, but those seeds were something that I bought with joy. There are beautiful purple morning glories, daisies, bright pansies, orange poppies, and zinnia. The seeds for bright green beans, snap peas, fresh herbs, and juicy tomatoes are there as well. The rainbow of colors is dazzling to my imagination. They represent so much to me. They represent the promise of warmer weather, butterflies, shorts, campfires, and lazy afternoons when the sun's rays are less intense. They are all packaged up in a small envelope with a picture of the future they behold.

I know that summer will come and I want to prepare for it so that I can enjoy it fully. I have planned my vegetable beds, hanging flower pots, perennial garden, and I am even going to attempt acorn squash this year. There are gardening books on my coffee table full of facts and ideas I have never considered before. I can look outside and feel comfort knowing that the cold winds that blow over the brown landscape will eventually make way to new life. What anticipation I have for that day, for it will be a season of new life. What joy!

I had to take a moment to ask myself how I could be so excited about my future garden in the middle of winter. I think it is easy to say that the promise of a brighter future helps me get through the every day boredom of winter. I believe that God wants all of us to find the joy of living for Him to overshadow the difficulties we face in our current season. He has promised us a wonderful future, greater than anything we could even ask for, complete with the creator God himself. I get excited just thinking about it! This excitement encourages me to prepare. If I prepare for that great future on a daily basis, I can get through any season of life that I encounter. Perhaps I will take a risk and step out in faith, like the squash that I am going to attempt in my garden this summer. After all, the gardening book said I could do it! His Word gives me the knowledge I need to have faith and to trust that the small things I do now for the kingdom will reap a harvest in the future season. Even though I face hardships on a daily basis, all I have to do is look to my God to get back that joy. It is all written down in His book. I know that this season shall pass. Preparing for that fabulous tomorrow will give me all of the joy I require.

Written by
Lisa Waterman

HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

Apparently this is a challenge for me because God seems to bring it to my attention on a regular basis. On a recent flight home, my plane was delayed and so I had time to kill in the airport. My plan was to start reading a new book a friend gave me called Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I took a seat along a wall, not for the purpose of helping me focus, but because it gave me the best view of the people.

I love people and I love people-watching. As I looked around, I was struck by the oddity I presented with a book on my lap. Four seats down, an older man was talking on his cell phone. He was a biologist, as well as a professor. Around the corner was a mom with a teenager and two young children who were watching a movie on their computer. Another gal with dread locks was talking loudly on her phone. Then a young 20's something man invaded my space and plugged in his laptop. He sat across from me and began tapping away, while simultaneously making a cell phone call to change his flight to Venice next week. Italy? What does he do that a trip to Italy sounds so routine? Within 5 minutes there were two more college students with computers on their laps, cords running across the seating area and headphones on.

Meanwhile, I've read only a few pages. Packer writes, "Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives. If we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it, the world becomes a strange, mad, painful place and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God." The impact of the contrast to what I was seeing and what I was reading was overwhelming. Even I sat there with a cross around my neck, a study book about knowing God on my lap, a Bible in my bag, a desire to know God more, and yet I found myself completely distracted by the people. People God created, people God loves. How many know God? Do they even realize that they are missing something? What is it they are plugged into?

Our world is so full of distractions, we now carry them with us as laptops, IPODs, cell phones and more; it is difficult to stop and ponder the things of God. We may no longer know what we are missing! Even when I think I am plugged into God, I am easily distracted. Paul writes, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him....I want to know Christ" (Phil 3:7-10).

I want to know Christ.

Written by
Lanie White

HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"Pray continually."
1 Thessalonians 5:17

We thought it was so cute when our two year old daughter learned to clasp her hands together and say "pay" (translation: pray). We all clasp our hands together and her father or I say a simple prayer before dinner and as we tuck her into her crib each night. It wasn't long before she began wanting to pray each time she was placed in her high chair...at breakfast, snack time, noon, snack time, and dinner. It became part of our routine.

Recently, we had a really rough morning. The girls and I had errands to run and my four month old chose to cry the entire time we did them. We returned home later than we should've and I had two little girls who were well past their naptimes. I settled in my infant and then hurriedly lifted my toddler into her high chair. As I placed her lunch tray down, she said, "pay." In my stress, I said to her, "Honey, we don't need to pray right now, right now we need for you to eat." I continued to prod her on and finally was able to carry her up into her crib. As I closed the blinds, she again said to me, "pay" and clasped her hands together. Thinking this was being used as a stalling tactic, I again said to her, "Honey, it's nigh-nigh time. I love you!" and closed her door.

As soon as I closed her door, the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 came into my mind. What had I just taught my daughter? That sleep and food are more important than prayer? That when we get busy or stressed, it's okay to put God on the backburner? I was mortified. What I can learn from my child... no wonder Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14).

On that stressful day, when my toddler woke, I cuddled with her in the rocking chair and prayed with her. In my prayer, I asked God to forgive mommy for letting her busyness get in the way of talking with God. I also thanked him for using my daughter to teach me a valuable lesson about faithfulness.

Written by
Holly Hauskins

HSBC Coffeebreak Devotional

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:22 NIV

The theme for the women's retreat was "A Heart of Service." One of the sessions dealt with recalling someone who has impacted our life for Christ. The purpose of this exercise was to encourage us in doing good deeds and to remind us of the value of serving others.

As I reflected upon this, I thought of the young woman who had taught me what God had to say about sin - that it is punishable by eternal death in hell. She also shared the Good News, that God loved me so much that while I was still a sinner, Christ died to pay the price for my sins. She was a part of that glorious moment when I acknowledged my sin and separation from God and accepted Jesus as my Savior. This happened years ago, and it has been nearly twenty years since I last saw her. Because she has not been a part of my growth, nor been able to watch me develop, it might be easy for her to overlook the significance of that work. I decided to write her a note of thanks and listed some of the fruit that resulted from her act of love toward me.

I recalled that my sins were forgiven and I am no longer separated from God. I have the benefits and blessings that come with being His child and the assurance that I will spend my eternity with Him. Our four children know Him as their Lord and Savior and serve Him in various ways. So far we have four grandchildren who are being taught His ways and are being nurtured to trust Jesus. We have lived our faith in front of many unsaved relatives and sometimes have had the opportunity to share our beliefs. A few have made professions of faith.

Working alongside my husband in the benevolence ministry has afforded me the opportunity to do small acts of encouragement for other believers and to be a part of sharing the Gospel and Biblical Truths to live by with countless individuals who seek assistance.

I have shared the Gospel message with numerous women and children and seen the harvest of a few and had the opportunity to help others learn His Truths through various ministries. As I head in women's ministry, I have been focused on equipping leaders to reach and teach others for God's glory.

By touching my life for Christ, this woman has had a hand in touching all of these lives. How many lives.... only God knows, but He definitely receives glory through the work that has been done. I am grateful she shared Christ with me that day. As I attempted to acknowledge the eternal value of her work, so as to encourage her, I found that God had used it to inspire me to become more "Kingdom minded." We may never know the extent to which our courage to share the Gospel can reach! It seems like such a small investment to yield such a large return!

Lord, ignite a passion in me to build your Kingdom! - Amen

Written by
Liz Anderson